Historic saloonfells-point
The Horse You Came In On Saloon in Fells Point claims to be America's oldest continuous saloon, a Thames Street bar tied to Edgar Allan Poe's last days.
Signature drink: Beer and whiskey
Food: No kitchen
Tip: It bills itself as the country's oldest continuous saloon; the Poe lore is part of the draw.
Beer bar and brewerymount-vernon
Wet City in Mount Vernon is a brewery, full bar and kitchen in one, pouring house beers and a curated guest list alongside tacos in a colourful upstairs room.
Signature drink: House and guest craft beer
Food: Tacos, bar food
Tip: It brews its own and pours a sharp guest list; the upstairs bar and the tacos are the draw.
Tavern and cocktail barlocust-point
Rye Street Tavern in Port Covington pours cocktails built on Sagamore Spirit rye, a waterfront tavern with an open hearth and a Chesapeake-leaning kitchen.
Signature drink: Sagamore Spirit rye cocktails
Food: American tavern menu
Tip: The rye cocktails use the next-door Sagamore distillery's spirit; the waterfront patio is the seat.
Cocktail barremington
W.C. Harlan in Remington is a candlelit speakeasy behind an unmarked door, Lane Harlan's first bar, pouring seasonal cocktails and a deep amaro list.
Signature drink: Amaro and seasonal cocktails
Food: Snacks
Tip: There is no sign; look for the unmarked door on 23rd Street, then head inside.
Cocktail barmount-vernon
Sugarvale in Mount Vernon is an intimate basement cocktail bar, mixing inventive, balanced drinks with zero pretension off a frequently changing menu.
Signature drink: Inventive seasonal cocktails
Food: Bar snacks
Tip: It is small and below street level; arrive early on weekends to land a seat at the bar.
Gin barstation-north
Dutch Courage in Old Goucher is a gin-focused cocktail bar on North Charles Street, building its list around gin and tonics and a long back bar of botanicals.
Signature drink: Gin and tonics, gin cocktails
Food: Small plates
Tip: It is gin-forward but the team mixes anything; the patio is a draw in warm weather.